Plenty of hope

During the on-going crisis, a major one, lots of people have shown the better side of themselves. It has happened in various walks of life, from the health professionals and personnel to the common citizen, that has accepted the confinement with patience and discipline. That is very encouraging. They are certainly ready for a more reasonable approach to the future.

Politics of hope or fear

If you are in politics and public affairs, do not forget to read Cicero’s speeches from time to time. They are a major source of wisdom and oratory. Cicero lived long ago, from 106 to 43 BC, in the Ancient Rome, but his observations about the powerful and human nature remain current.

Today, I looked again at the following observation he made in his work “Oratory”:

“Men are influenced in their verdicts much more by prejudice…or anger…or by some excitement of their feelings, than either by the facts of the case…or by any rules or principles…”

My comment: That’s why objectivity in politics carries very little water!

My conclusion: Better to create hope, then!

The business of politics is to create hope

I saw President Obama’s inauguration pictures and asked myself what did the world leaders think of the large crowd that attended the ceremony, close to a million people? For almost every leader in the planet such a show of spontaneous popular support and enthusiasm would be a dream that can never become true.

Obama might have many opponents in the US. But seen from this side of the world, he still manages to achieve a major feat: to be the symbol of hope for many! And that reminds us that politics is about generating hope!